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Influenza in New Zealand

Influenza (flu) can be a serious illness and poses a significant public health issue in New Zealand.

Immunisation provides the best protection against influenza. Immunisation provides the best protection against influenza and reduces the chance of serious illness and hospitalisation.

2026 Influenza Immunisation Programme

The National Public Health Service, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is responsible for implementing the Influenza Immunisation Programme.

Pharmac are responsible for setting the eligibility criteria for funded flu vaccines in Aotearoa New Zealand each year. Detailed information of who is eligible for a free vaccination can be found on the Pharmac website.

Free flu eligibility criteria – Pharmac (external link)

 

Director-General approval of the Influenza Programme is no longer required following the Influenza vaccine classification (item 1090) updated in Schedule 1 of the Medicine Regulations 1984 in 2022. Please see statement in Key Documents section at the bottom of this page

National Influenza Vaccine Data

Each week throughout the flu vaccination season, from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026, Health New Zealand publishes influenza vaccine data and statistics on the influenza vaccine uptake across the country.

Influenza vaccine data – Health New Zealand

Information for providers

Winter Provider Support Flyer (external link)

Vaccine supply

There are 1.2 million doses of influenza vaccines available in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026 and there are 4 types of influenza vaccines.

  • INFLUVAC TETRA is the funded vaccine and approved for use in children and adults, aged from six months  
  • FLUCELVAX is unfunded only, approved for use in children and adults, aged from six months   
  • FLUAD® is unfunded only, approved for use in adults aged 50 years or older.
  • FLUZONE is unfunded only, approved for use in children and adults, aged from six months.

For more information visit:


Influenza information for health professionals – IMAC (external link)

Claiming for Influenza – 2026

Contracted providers can claim the cost of the vaccine and the immunisation administration fee for influenza given to an eligible individual via usual claiming process.

Note: The Aotearoa Immunisation Register (external link) (AIR) does not have claiming capability. Contact help@imms.min.health.nz for further details on recording influenza vaccinations in AIR.

Integrated Community Pharmacy Service Agreement (ICPSA) / Primary Health Organisation Service Agreement (PHOSA) providers

Person eligible for funded influenza

Administration fee

Baseline administration fee

Standard baseline fee (refer to your contract (e.g. PHOSA, ICPSA)


For further details about immunisation subsidies (external link) refer to your contract portfolio manager or Primary Health Organisation (PHO).

Note: Immunisation fees are the same, whether or not the patient is enrolled at a general practice. This means vaccinations to casual patients are provided the same immunisation fees.

Immunising health and disability care workers

The World Health Organization strongly recommends healthcare workers as a priority group for influenza vaccination, not only for their own protection and ability to maintain services but also to reduce the spread of influenza to vulnerable patients, including those who are pregnant.

Manatū Hauora and Health New Zealand recommends health and disability workers receive an annual influenza vaccination because influenza is a significant health issue in Aotearoa New Zealand.

District Employees

One of the Influenza Programme goals is that 80 percent of New Zealand’s district health care workers are immunised against Influenza each year. As with previous years, districts will be running influenza vaccination programmes for their staff. Please contact your Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service for details.

Non-Health New Zealand Employed Health and Disability Workers

One of the Influenza Programme goals is to increase the non-district employed health and disability workers vaccinated annually for influenza. Prevention will again support eligible employers of non-Health New Zealand health and disability workers to claim for the cost of vaccinating their frontline patient facing staff against influenza via the Reimbursement Portal. The Portal will open on 1 April 2026 and close on 30 September 2026.

Reimbursement Portal (external link)

About the Reimbursement Portal

The reimbursement scheme is available from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026. No claims after 30 September will be considered for reimbursement.

 

2025 Claims

The NPHS has agreed, for a limited time, to accept claims from the 2025 season that were not submitted by the original deadline. When the Flu portal reopens on 1 April 2026, providers will have until 30 April 2026 to submit any outstanding 2025 claims. If you plan to submit a claim during this period, please submit your 2025 claim through the portal as usual. Combine all 2025 vaccinations into a single claim and ensure the correct invoice date is entered. This will help us clearly distinguish 2025 claims from those submitted for the 2026 season.

 

Eligibility

Reimbursement is available for non-Health New Zealand health and disability sector employees, self-employed lead maternity carers, and carers employed under individualised funding arrangements who satisfy all of the following criteria:   

  • Not employed by HNZ
  • provide a health and/or disability service
  • have direct patient/client contact 
  • are not eligible for a publicly funded influenza vaccine

Employee Eligibility

Occupational categories eligible for the non-Health New Zealand Health and Disability Influenza Reimbursement.  This list is not exhaustive; if in doubt please refer to the above criteria or contact: immunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz.  

1.   Addiction practitioner (DAPAANZ)  

2.   Chiropractor  

3.   Dietitian  

4.   Medical Radiation Technologist  

5.   Medical Scientist/Technician  

6.   Occupational therapist  

7.   Optometrist/Dispensing Optician  

8.   Oral health practitioner  

9.   Osteopath  

10.  Māori health provider

11.  Pacific health provider

10.  Paramedics/Ambulance Officers/ Emergency Medical Technicians  

11.  Pharmacist,  dispensary technicians, and pharmacy staff 

12.  Physiotherapist  

13.  Podiatrist  

14.  Psychologist  

15.  Psychotherapist (all scopes)  

16.  Social worker  

17.  Clinical Physiologist  

18.  Medical Physicists  

19.  Counsellor (non-regulated)  

20.  Scientist or Technician (non-regulated)  

21.  Therapist (non-regulated)  

22.  Other Allied Health (non-regulated)  

23.  Aged or Disabled Carer  

24.  Personal Care Assistant  

25.  Health Assistant  

26.  Community Worker  

27.  Other Care and Support Workers  

28.  General Practitioners

29.  Senior Medical Officers/Specialists (non-GP, non-UC)  

30.  Other (including Resident Medical Officers)  

31.  Midwife  

32.  Enrolled nurse  

33.  Nurse practitioner  

34.  Registered nurse  

35.  Whaikaha Service Providers 

36.  Reception staff

37. Audiology services

If you are unsure if your organisation qualifies for reimbursement, please contact us via immunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Employers should submit one claim for all of their eligible employees, or for themselves if they are a self-employed contractor, via the online reimbursement portal. (external link)

Reimbursement details

  • Maximum of $40.25 including GST ($35 excluding GST) per person
  • No invoice required. The portal will automatically generate one on your behalf when you submit your claim
  • Please try to submit one claim for all your staff
  • Processed within 2 months from receipt of a completed valid claim

Key Documents